This was our second time in about 6 weeks. There is your review. Top notch crew and knowledgeable captain. Clean boat. Very well run. We have no reason to check anyone else out. read more

The captain and crew (Eli, Orion, Matt, Nate, and Emma) were all fantastic. This was my first time driving sidemount off a vessel that is not a small RIB. Everyone was super helpful in providing land support and trouble shooting any issues I had. Eli, in particular, was able to solve all the problems I had with my gear (e.g. weaving webbing thru tri glide). I giant strode off the side with my gear fully donned on and I didn't have an issue. However, the crew was more than welcome to lower the tanks for me to don the cylinders in the water, if needed. They were also there to haul my gear at the end of the dive. This is probably my fourth time with them and I've always had a good experience. read more

Best dive boat in Ventura. The crew is very helpful and knowledgeable. They know the island and dive site very well because they dive themselves. Captain Nate giving the best dive site briefings also they way he positions the boat right in the dive site with 2 anchors is the best. The crew is always willing to help with whatever the diver needs. The food and the boat is great as well bbq chicken or tri tip so good. The individual diver slots is the best so your gear and your seat is always there. Stay on the boat the night before is also great. Don't look any further this is the dive boat to dive from in Ventura! read more

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We dove just a couple of weeks ago and it's always such a pleasure to dive on the Spectre!! I'm so glad to be diving again! Compliments to the crew for the such fabulous food, service and especially for having a spare BCD on board for our friend when his broke. I also want to give kudos to Ted in the office for being so helpful and accommodating with all my questions. We cannot wait to be back later this year!! read more

Fantastic dive trip. Great captain and crew. Very attentive dive masters. 2 great fresh cooked meals like restaurant food plus lots of snacks. Jacuzzi on the boat was a nice surprise! 3 bath rooms on board and resting bunks. read more

This ain't your pampering-resort-SCUBA dive outfit. A couple of friends and I just went on a trip to Anacapa Island aboard the Spectre. The first thing you realize when you get there is that the crew is doing their own thing, and you're taking care of yourself. Toss your stuff into a bunk and assemble your gear pronto! The boat itself is adequate, but she was rode hard and put up wet, as they say. I was glad I wasn't doing an overnight on this thing. The onboard hot tub was an absolute lifesaver since it was super cold and rained all day. A little dingy, but when you just came out of icy water, it doesn't matter much. The galley chef is pretty awesome. She whipped up "Egg McDivers" at an incredibly efficient rate. After our second dive, we surfaced to the smell of BBQ chicken! She's really good, especially considering the limited kitchen space and rocking boat movements. We did three dives at Anacapa-- the underwater life is absolutely gorgeous. If you like diving, get out there (maybe in the summer when its warm). We saw sea lions, lobsters, seals, cabezon, nudibranchs and it goes on. Cal Boat's divemasters don't lead you on an underwater tour, you just jump in, swim around, and find your way back to the boat. You need compass skillz. I was unsure how this chaotic system was going to work, as I saw lots of very young kids diving, but they pulled it off! When we finished our dives, we sat in the hot tub and started to head towards the harbor. Dolphins started jumping out of the water all around the boat and the sun peeked out. The islands and animals are the real stars out here, and Cal Boat Diving got us out there with no frills and a fair price. read more

Cal Boat Diving - The Spectre, on of the dive boats - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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I've gone for two consecutive days with these guys, and it was just a fantastic experience. I was a bit stressed because it was my first diving after certification and I didn't quite know what to expect. But the crew were super friendly and helpful from answering my questions about the gear prior the reservation and all the way until the last high five when I got off the boat. They were patient when I was messing something up, always kept an eye on me and other divers, and were ready to help with whatever we needed. Nathan, the captain of the boat, always chooses the best of the dive spots for the given conditions. I was lucky to see tons of marine life, from peculiar nudie branches and lobsters to playful sea lions and just incredible giant sea basses. Additionally, you've got a chance to get served some ice cream while relaxing in the jacuzzi hot tub that they have right on the boat. Pretty darn awesome :) read more

Cal Boat Diving - Dolphins on the way to the islands - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

We had a fantastic time. Staff knowledgeable and helpful. Great boat ride for non-divers! Comfortable spaces to lounge around. Lunch provided, order gear and its ready at your dive station. Gear was great all fit and masks good. read more

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Nothing short of exceptional. The crew was incredibly laidback, helpful, and friendly! Though cold water diving isn't my preference, two of the dives off of Anacapa surely fall into my top 5 dives of all time. 10/10 recommend diving the Channel Islands, and the Spectre Boat and crew are the way to go. Also, it helps that after freezing cold dives you have a hot tub and cold beer on board! read more

Staff was absolutely great, friendly, helpful, kind, patient, clear on instructions. Can't say enough. The dives were great too. "D.P." gave them 3 stars for certain specific reasons, and everything he said was absolutely true. It was not perfectly clear to me as a less-experienced diver that I wouldn't be lead by a dive master on an organized group dive, but I kind of liked the freedom I had as a result. Sure, it may have opened me up to potentially hurting myself, but the responsibility is simply put in your lap rather than theirs, which is a great option to have. It may be good to have that outlined and more clearly disclosed on their website before any trip can be booked, but all the same I still highly recommend, especially since you've now read this and are aware beforehand. read more

WOW, what a great experience! The Spectre and her crew were terrific, and so was the diving at Anacapa Island on a clear Autumn day (and the food provided on board, too!). We booked a 3/4 day trip, which included transport from Ventura Harbor out to Anacapa in the Channel Islands and three dives plus meals for $105. I rented a full SCUBA gear package: tank, weights, BC, regulator, wet suit, boots, gloves, mask, snorkel, and fins for an additional $65 (cheaper packages are available without the mask/snorkel/fins or for snorkeling only). Everything was already loaded, stowed, and ready to go when we arrived in the morning. Also, it was nice to not have to clean up and dry out the equipment afterwards. It took about an hour to cruise out to the island, during which time we were treated to fruit, pastries, coffee, and freshly-prepared bacon, egg & cheese English muffin sandwiches in the ship's galley. This was also our opportunity to change into wetsuits for the dive, and once at the dive site we were given a safety briefing and then let loose to swim with the fishes. Beautiful! Between the second and third dives we were treated to a BBQ chicken lunch with salad, rice, and sodas, and then after the third dive we got ice cream & brownie sundaes-- yum! :) There was also beer available for purchase, and a hot tub to soak in once wetsuits had been removed on the way back. Everything about this trip was excellent. The crew were experienced, safety-conscious, and extremely helpful (especially for novice divers like myself). We saw a ton of wildlife both above and below the water (I've never seen so many pelicans! And the seal who played with us underwater for a few minutes was amazing!!). I would highly recommend the Spectre and Cal Boat Diving to anyone interested in taking a dive trip out the the Channel Islands, and I hope that I'll be returning to do the same soon! read more

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we had such an amazing diving day!! thanks team for helping facilitate it. appreciate all the work you put in to make sure we were safe, prepared, and well fed. We'll be back to swim with our new sea lion friends! read more

What a wonderful day diving! The crew were all super helpful, polite and friendly, knowledgeable, etc. We hadn't been diving in a while and this was a good way to reorient ourselves before an upcoming trip. Four stars because the dive sites aren't great, are VERY shallow without much to look at. And the rented equipment on the boat was in bad condition. The crew was able to fix leaky lines and bad pressure gauges right away but they need new stuff. Also, the boat is old and dirty. On the positive side, the food is wonderful and some of the best we've ever had during a day diving trip!! Will book again with this boat and crew for sure, but will try to find more interesting dive sites that are more than 25 feet deep with more interesting stuff to look it. read more

I stan the Spectre. Captain Nate is great and really has everyone's best interest in mind. I was there all weekend and I saw the crew, especially Chuck and Dan, being extremely helpful to divers of all levels and problems of all kinds. It's a very organized, yet fun and casual experience. If diving weren't so exhausting I would be there every weekend. They have super cute Spectre gear too. Big fan. 10/10 every time. read more

Another great time diving on Spectre,thecrew is great the food is awesome looking forward to my more dives thank you!!!

I dove on the Spectre back in October of 2017 and had great time. So I decided to make the trip back to Ventura, CA and visit the Channel Islands again on 02MAR2019. Very nice and polite crew, make you feel very welcome. They are big on safety which is key for me. They are helpful and keep you well fed. The lunch is great, they can bbq... The dive sites are not deep. I measured 45' at the deepest. Currents were not real bad and the water temp for winter was at 54. I normally dive Monterey. The vis was around 15 to 20. I enjoyed the sea life as well as the boat ride. I am a master diver and they let me dive solo. I like that... I have done other boat dives around the states and so far I have not found anyone better. read more

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Once again, the Spectre comes through. Four of us traveled from the central valley. We stayed on the boat the night prior, BONUS. This trip took us to Santa Cruz Islands, Capt. Nate did everything to find "clean water". Once there, we dove at Pelican Bay, Platts, and the Suburbs. Of all spots, I would go back to the Suburbs to see the large rock formations. The Capt. and crew as usual went above and beyond to make this trip exciting. Capt. Nate always gives the best advice on how and where to dive each and every location where he takes you. He spells out the best routes to take each and every dive. I can't say enough about this boat and its crew. I will never hesitate to return and give the boat my business. CrewA++ Food A+ Accommodations A+ Thanks again for a great day!! read more

5+ stars for The Spectre and crew. Great food (and plenty- breakfast and hot lunch, snacks all day, ice cream sundaes?!) and hot tub on board were prime. Captain and crew knowledgable in water and dive conditions and good dive spots. We were the only divers at all three stops. Crew runs like a well oiled machine and very friendly. Saw a leopard shark, sealions, plenty of sheephead and girabaldis, sea lobsters and sting ray. Excellent experience, highly recommend!! read more

Cal Boat Diving - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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Always loved the Spectre dive boat. So nice after 3 years to get back on it. Great dive sites, excellent food, and great staff. Still my favorite boat. read more

Great boat with a fantastic crew. My first impression was that it was a crowded boat with 41 diver slots but with entries on both sides and at the back it never took long to get all the divers in the water. We had plenty of room. The boat has a great big galley and lots of table seating inside to stay warm and out of wind. Food was great! BBQ tri tip was the hit at lunch time. The boat has lots of bunks down below but we stayed at a local hotel and never saw the bunk area below decks. The fourth dive in the hot tub was the best. It felt so good to warm up in the hot tub after diving the relatively cold water of the pacific. I would definitely dive this boat again. read more

Spectre dive crew always knocks it out of the park! The captain (nate) made it a point to find the best possible conditions. Thanks again!!! read more

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This is one of the best dive boats I've been on. They start you off with breakfast and a safety training. On the second dive we saw an angel shark, sea hare, starfish, and lots of kelp gardens. After the second dive we broke for lunch and had tri tip and chicken (yum!) The third dive was super clear water with lots of horn shark, sea urchin, and someone in our group saw an eel. After the 2nd and 3rd dive you can get in the on board hot tub which was nice since the ocean is so cold! The staff was knowledgeable and helpful! Would dive again with them! read more

The specter is an awesome boat, I did a mid week dive on Thursday and the crew was expert, The food was excellent in the bunk was comfortable and clean. read more

Cal Boat Diving - Anacappa island - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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Went out to Anacapa on 7/15. Great visibility and the water was very warm (68 F). As always, the crew did a great job making sure that everyone dove safely and that we had the opportunity to dive great sites. The breakfast sandwiches and BBQ lunch was great as always, and the bunk room is open again. read more

Great team of professionals. They always provide excellent service and find the best dive sites. Fresh coffee is ready in the morning. I also like that they prepare fresh breakfast, lunch done on the barbecue, and ice cream sundaes. read more

Best dive trip I've ever had! The crew was excellent and the boat was spacious and comfortable. Highlight was definitely getting into the hot tub right on the deck after diving! My partner and I did two dives and skipped the third dive to just relax and enjoy the hot tub. : ) The crew were all very helpful. They also served a delicious lunch that included tri-tip. The diving was amazing - I couldn't believe how much wildlife we saw in a single dive!! Garibaldis and spiny lobster everywhere! We were even joined by dolphins on the way there and back. I would absolutely dive with Spectre again! HIGHLY recommended! read more

Went on the Spectre boat yesterday had a GREAT time! All my dive gear was delivered aboard and was on the boat before I arrived. 3 dives with two friends staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I had not jumped off a boat in 10 years, so the extra assistance was a huge reassurance. Was awesome! Go do it! read more

We had a wonderful experience and the Team exceed our expectations. The bathroom were kept cleaned throughout the trip. The water container were replaced numerous times. The crew was attentive and polite. There were lunch options for vegetarians, omnivorous, and carnivorous. I'm truly impressed and will book future trips with my family. Thank you, Norma read more

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I love diving the Spectre. I prefer this boat to others in the harbor for a few reasons. 1. The crew is always friendly and professional. Safety is addressed at each dive site. Procedures for entering and exiting the water are clearly defined and attentively followed. 2. Warm food. Breakfast burritos start the day with fruit and other continental breakfast fixings. Freshly popped popcorn is served after the first dive. After the second dive, grilled chicken, tri-tip, and burgers, with salad, beans, rice, and a roll are served for lunch. When you get back from the third dive, freshly made brownies are served topped with ice cream and whipped cream. There's also beer available for purchase after the third dive. 3. There. Is. A. Hot tub. With jets. You're not allowed in with any neoprene on. If you struggle to get into your wetsuit like me, this means you won't be out of your wetsuit until you're done diving. 4. There are berths under the deck. The boat is open the night before to stay aboard. If you're driving down the night before, you don't need a hotel. *Bring a blanket and pillow- it can get cold! Pro-tip: Be first off the gate for dive 3. Get back and hustle to get out of your gear. Tuck your gear into your stall, and don't worry about packing your dive bag quite yet. (Always keep a clean stall and store your gear in a courteous manner) Get in the hot tub! The chef will bring out a tray of brownie sundaes. Relish the fact that you just got to experience the one-of-a-kind diving California has to offer, and are now eating ice cream, in a hot tub, on a boat. Life. Is. Good. Don't forget cash to tip the crew. They'll hustle all day to make sure you're safe and happy. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this boat. We have our own boat and I still love coming out on the Spectre...so that says a lot. I personally think it's one of the best deals for a fun day in Southern California. Breakfast, delicious lunch, three dives, a HUGE/spacious boat, hot tub, ice cream and a great crew all for a super reasonable price. I've been out probably about five times over the years and always love it. Plus, the channel islands are some of the most gorgeous dive spots around. The kelp! So so beautiful. The islands themselves are just incredible and there is always so much life! read more

We had a great time! Such a cool boat! All our gear was on the boat when we got there. That was super nice!!! We visited 3 dive sites on Santa Cruz Island. It felt like they chose the spots well, as they got better with every dive! It was my first dive after getting certified and my fins didn't fit, however the staff thankfully had an extra pair. The staff was super clear in communication to the boat, everything was cleaned and a clear message to wear masks was made and divers followed instructions. Such a great experience! Thank you! read more

My first time diving on the Spectre and it was a fun experience! The crew were very helpful and worked their butts off! The boat is nice and big and the food is the best I've had on a dive boat. They also have a hot tub and hot showers. I also rented gear from them and it was in good condition. All in all, I would definitely book with them again! read more

Very attentive, fun crew and journey. We didn't get to spear fish as we'd hoped but still got to play with some sea lions and practice our free diving skills with some good food and relaxation in the hot tub on board. Conditions were foggy and hard to see, but not their fault. I'd do it again read more

WOW! What a day! Great crew, beautiful day, great rental gear and amazing dive sites! We have only positive things to say about our day trip to Anacapa so here it goes: Before booking this trip the Spectre was quick to return phone calls and answer any questions. Their website is very easy to use and has lots of info which made planning for the trip very easy (we came from Northern California). You have the option to stay the night on the boat the day before, although because it was a heat wave, we opted for car camping. On the morning of the dive the crew all showed up with positive and welcoming attitudes which calmed any nervousness I had (this was my first time going on a dive boat). We rented the basic scuba package and all our gear was already loaded and organized for us. We were really impressed by the gear...it was new and in really good condition. Once we took off the whole day was great. At each dive site there was a thorough briefing about what to expect and how to best explore the site There was lots of communication and supervision from the crew so I felt safe the whole time. In between dives there was always a tasty meal or snack, which is a big treat. Although the boat was completely full, all the crew was very organized, positive and had relaxed attitudes the whole time which made the day very enjoyable. We will definitely plan another trip with The Spectre! read more

Cal Boat Diving - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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Oct 26 dive. What a great dive! The weather, water temp and clarity amazing; but the best part was the Captains choices of where to dive...Perfect. Diving with seals...check, seeing Sharks (leopard, horn and Soupfin shark)...check, diving thick kelp forest...check. Food and beverages for breakfast, lunch and then a post dive Sundaes, with brownies...check! What more can you ask for wish; other than booking another trip. read more

What a great experience good dive locations and great food. They really know how to treat you and make you feel special. The hot tub after diving and the brownie sundays were unbelievable. What a great way to end the trip. read more

The crew is friendly and the dive master is knowledgeable. There was a broad range of experience among the divers on the boat. As a newbie, I got the advice and help I needed. At one point, my boots went missing between dives (it turned out later they were in my dive buddy's duffel) and one of the crew lent me a pair, which was much appreciated. The food was good, the crew was great. You don't have a dive master in the water. But if you like diving in kelp forests, they do a great job of getting you there, keeping you fed, and bringing you to good spots. read more

My wife and I went diving on the Spectre Dive boat. We had 20 previous dives. This was our first time diving in the states. We had a great time. The water was amazing, the boat ride was so much fun, the rental gear was pretty good. Next time I would bring my own mask. AND the food was the AMAZING. Next time I will bring some cash to tip the cook. read more

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These diving trips are on your own. No dive master to lead the group. They act as simple organizers and tell you (during the briefing at the boat) more or less what to see and expect from the dive, nothing else. If you're diving on your own, they'll pair you with another solo diver, regardless of your experience. The guy designated as "master dive" had no clue (or refused to answer) which was the next diving spot. The boat, food are ok. The rest of the crew was polite and helpful, but don't expect a lot of diving advice to explore the area. Google "the spectre boat accidents" and find out more. read more

Lots of parking at Ventura Harbor Village. Easy check in with our DM Chuck. Lots of room onboard for our dive gear & separate dry shelves in galley. Yummy breakfast sandwiches with bacon, egg & cheese, pastries, fruit & juice. Delicious grilled chicken, beans, rice, salad & rolls for lunch. Three nice dive sites near Santa Cruz Island. Lots of garibaldi, kelp, starfish. Even saw a harbor seal. 3 hot showers & bathrooms. What an amazing day! read more